Automatic show card printing device



Nov. l0, 1936. L. A. sTlNsoN AUTOMATIC SHOW CARD PRINTING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Aug. 2l. 1931 Wmv IIFA.

NOV. 10, 1936. A, sTlNSON 2,060,749

AUTOMATIC SHOW CARD PRINTING DEVICE Original FiledAug. 2l, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 @f5/Wy" l Nov. 10, 1936. L. A. sTlNsoN 2,060,749

AUTOMATIC SHOW-CARD PRINTING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 2l. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jwkfr yman d,

NOV'- 10, 1936. l.. A. sTlNsoN AUTOMATIG SHOW CARD PRINTING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Aug. 2l, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 L. A. STINSON UTOMATIC SHOW CARD PRINTING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 21, 1931` n m M I l l I l l I I Nov. 10, 1936.

Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC SHOW CARD PRINTING DEVICE Application August 21,

1931, Serial No. 558,545

Renewed August 4, 1936 11 Claims.

My invention relates to show card writing apparatus.

My invention relates more particularly to automatic show card writing machines and has for an object the provision of an apparatus of this type adapted to be easily and conveniently built, transported, and operated.

One of the objects is to produce a simple, practical and advantageous construction of show card writing machine or like device.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved apparatus of this type capable of adjustment to print show cards of all the standard sizes, as well as unusual sizes without the necessity for changing the apparatus in any particular.

A further object of my invention is to provide a show card printing apparatus wherein a plurality of removable dials are provided and each equipped with a special set of type.

A further object is to provide a show card printing device of the type described provided with removable type-carrying discs whereby a plurality of different styles of type may be printed with the same mechanism.

Other objects and advantages preside in the specic construction of the parts, the means whereby the show cards are to be printed and accurately placed in position on the machine, the mechanism whereby the machine is driven and the details of construction of the parts thereof. The advantages and improvements of the construction will be more readily apparent from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus with the printing disc shown in full lines in an intermediate position and in dot-dash lines in the two extreme positions in which printing may be done;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the apparatus on a reduced scale;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevational View thereof;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the apparatus which is taken generally on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational View of a type-carrying disc with portions thereof broken away in sections to show other parts thereof, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan of the printing bed showing the manner in which the various standard size show cards can be xedly placed in position thereon.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus comprises a base IIJ upon which a printing bed I2 is positioned. The printing bed is elevated slightly above the base so that the machining thereon may be simplified. The base Ill is of a rectangular shape and is provided at two sides with raised portions I4 yupon which a pair of dove-tail shaped bars I are mounted. These bars as shown in Figure 2 extend the length of the base I0. A pair of brackets I8 are adapted to be supported upon the bars I6 so that they may be moved back and forth from the front to the rear of the machine. The brackets I3 have 'suitable slots 20 to fit the bars I6.

A plurality of cross-rods 22 are adapted to extend from side to side of the machine to connect the brackets i8 to form a rigid supporting element. A movable platform 24 is arranged upon the cross-rods 22 so that the same may be slidably moved back and forth upon the rods. The platform 24 as best shown in Figures 2 and 4 supports at its front end an elbow shaped bracket 26 upon which a rotatable disc member 28 is adapted to be mounted. The rotatable disc member is formed with a pair of side plates 3D and 32 which are spaced apart by a plurality of spacing members 34. As most clearly shown in Figure 5 each of the spacing members 34 slidably supports between the plates 30 and 32 a type carrying member 35. The type carrying members 36 are wedge-shaped having their side walls 38 radially disposed towards the center of the disc. In this position each of the type carrying members forms in effect a support for an adjacent type carrying member. Spring elements 4i? positioned between a wall of the type carrying member and the inner side of bar 34 normally hold the type carrying members in a rest position. Each of the members 38 carries at its lower end in a tongue and groove slot a type block 42. The type blocks 42 are all of the same size and consequently interchangeable. The style of type upon each one can be varied to suit the individual fancies of the operator.

As shown in Figure 5 the disc member 28 is vertically suspended at the forward end of bracket 26 above the printing bed I2. The means for moving a type carrying member 38 in a printing operation will now be described. A hammer 44 having a wedge shaped head similar in shape to the upper end of the type carrying members 38 is pivotally connected to an eccentric 46 which is mounted upon the forward end of a drive shaft 48. A bracket 50 suspended from bracket 26 forms a guide means and bearing for the rod 52 of the hammer. As the shaft 48 revolves operating the eccentric 46 a downward thrust is given the hammer 44 and type carrying member 38 with the result that a show card placed upon the printing bed I2 would have an impression made thereon.

Means for holding the disc member 28 with the desired type below the hammer is provided and comprises the spring pressed ball 54 carried in a boss 5B on the side of plate 32. This ball is adapted to slip into position in any one o1' a plurality of depressions 58 formed in the exterior peripheral surface of bearing portion 26a of bracket 26. One depression 58 is provided for each type member 38. The disc member 28 is held in position upon the bracket 26 by a suitable nut member 68 which screw threadedly engages the end of portion 26a thereof. The rear plate 32 of the disc member is formed with a cut out 62 so that the disc member may be removed without interfering with the hammer 44 or its associated parts. This is desirable in view of the fact that several different discs may be employed carrying different styles of type or numbers.

Driving means for shaft 48 is provided and comprises a motor 64 mounted upon the supporting platform 24 adjacent shaft 48. The motor drives the shaft through suitable gears 50 and 52, one of which is mounted upon the motor shaft and the other upon shaft 48. 'Ihe shaft 48 is mounted in a bearing 66 in bracket 26 and a bearing 68 near the rear of the platform.

Clutch and brake means are provided for shaft 48 so that a continuously operating motor 64 may be employed to drive hammer 44 whenever desired. Any suitable clutch and brake mechanism may be employed and in the present instance we have illustrated a clutch 'I0 of the type having a key which is arranged to be engaged with the hub 'l2 of gear 52. The gear is arranged to revolve freely on the shaft until the dog I4 is pulled down by the action of a shifting lever 'I6 and then the key 'I8 is forced downwardly into engagement with the hub of the gear 52 by a strong spring adjacent thereto. When the operating lever 'I6 is released the dog 'I4 is forced upwardly and when key 'I8 comes into contact with the dog it is pushed back into the shaft thus allowing gear 52 to again run freely. As the lever 'I6 is depressed and then released the eccentric 46 will make one revolution before stopping thus completing one printing operation. The clutch mechanism described is well known in the art and it is believed a further description thereof is not necessary.

Means for moving platform 24 either to the right or to the left is provided and may comprise the screw threaded rod 22a which is provided with a hand wheel at one end of the machine adjacent a bracket I8. The rod 22a extends through tapped holes in the depending lugs 82 below platform 24 and thus it can be seen that rotation of rod 22a in either direction will move the platform either to the right or to the left.

Means for securing micrometer adjustment of the position of the platform is provided and comprises the ratchet and lever mechanism shown at the left of Figure 1. This comprises a ratchet wheel 86 mounted on the end of rod 22a A lever 88 rotatably positioned adjacent ratchet 86 carries a dog 90. A specified throw-off lever 88 is arranged to move the platform 24 a predetermined distance so that in printing a word upon a show card each letter will be acflll'ftely SpaCed from adjacent letters.

Means for moving the platform rearwardly and forwardly across the printing bed I2 is provided and comprises the two screw members 92 and 94 which are mounted in suitable bearings 96 and S8 at the ends of base I0. These screw members extend through suitable tapped arms |02 on the brackets I8. A hand wheel I04 positioned adjacent the front of the machine on the screw member 94 is adapted to rotate the screw member and move the bracket I8 backward and forward.

Means for moving the screw member 92 in synchronism therewith is provided and comprises the bevel gears |06 and |88 positioned at the rear end of the machine and connected ln a sultable manner by cross-shaft IIB. With the arrangement shown it can readily be seen that rotation of one screw member will operate the other in exactly the same manner. An inking roll II2 is provided to ink the type members 42 and this may take the form of any of the suitable ink fountains well known in the art.

The printing bed I2 as more clearly shown in Figure 6 is provided with a plurality of small openings S so that suitable holding clips may be positioned therein to hold any of the regularly shaped show card sizes. As is well known in the art show cards are provided in standard sizes from 28 inches by 22 inches to 1 inch X 11/2 inches. Since in the various stores and shops in which this machine will be employed it is desired that the printing bed hold any of these sizes of cards in either an upright or sidewise position, the type bed has been so arranged with suitable openings that anyone of these sizes of cards may be supported. In Figure 6 in dot-dash lines each one of these sizes of cards has been outlined and suitable openings S have been provided around these outlines. In the same view the sidewise position of each of these cards has been shown in dotted lines and solid black circles S have been provided to illustrate the positions of the openings for supporting these cards. From the drawings it can be seen that the supports for the smaller size cards are positioned near the front side of the machine. This is merely for convenience in operating as it is naturally desirable to position the show cards being printed as accessible as possible.

The machine, as can readily be seen is welll adapted for use in grocery stores, drug stores and many other small stores and merchandizing houses where a great number of show cards are regularly required. The cost of manufacturing the show cards with a machine of this type as compared to' the hand labor cost clearly justifies the utilization of a machine of this type. The ease and simplicity of operation renders the device attractive to the average store owner due to the fact that it is easily handled and operated by a single person. With the present arrangement, i. e., the removable discs, it can be seen that as many styles of type as are desired can be utilized in the machine; hence rendering the machine a device for universal use.

While I have illustrated and described a specie embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that changes and modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention and I do not wish to be limited in any particular, rather what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus for printing show cards comprising a base, a printing bed thereon, a movable platform, means on said base for supporting said movable platform, a vertically positioned rotatable printing disc mounted thereon, means for operating said printing disc, means for driving said operating means, all of said means mounted. on said platform and means for moving said platform right and left and back and forth to any desired position above said printing bed.

2. Apparatus for printing show cards comprising a base, a printing bed thereon, a pair of parallel rails mounted on opposite sides of said bed, a movable bracket mounted on each rail, a plurality of cross bars connecting said brackets, a supporting frame mounted on said bars, a vertically positioned rotatable printing disc mounted on said frame, type members thereon, a press hammer for operating said type members, a motor for driving said hammer mounted on said frame, clutch means between said motor and said hammer and means for moving said frame to the front or to the rear of sai-d bed.

3. Apparatus for printing show cards comprising a base, a printing bed thereon, a pair of parallel rails mounted on opposite sides of said bed, a movable bracket mounted on each rail, a plurality of cross bars connecting said brackets, a supporting frame mounted on said bars, a rotatable printing disc mounted on said frame, type members thereon, inking means associated therewith, a press hammer for operating said type members, a motor for driving said hammer mcunte-d on said frame, clutch means between said motor and said hammer and means for moving said frame to the front or to the rear of said bed.

4. Apparatus for printing show cards comprising a base, a printing bed thereon, a pair of parallel rails mounted on opposite sides of said be-d, a movable bracket mounted on each rail, a plurality of cross bars connecting said brackets, a supporting frame mounted on said bars, a removable rotatable printing disc mounted on said frame, type members thereon, a press hammer for operating said type members, a motor for driving said hammer mounted on said frame, clutch means between said motor and said harnmer and means for moving said frame to the front or to the rear of said bed.

5. Apparatus for printing show cards comprising a base, a printing bed thereon, a pair of parallel rails mounted on opposite sides of said bed, a movable bracket mounted on each rail, a plurality of cross bars connecting said brackets, a supporting frame mounted on said bars, a rotatable printing disc mounted on said frame, type members thereon, a press hammer for operating said type members, a motor for driving said hammer mounted on said frame, clutch means between said motor and said hammer and means for moving said frame to the front or to the rear of said bed and sideways to either side of said bed.

6. Apparatus for printing show cards comprising a base, a printing bed thereon, a pair of parallel rails mounted on opposite sides of said bed, a movable bracket mounted on each rail, a plurality of cross bars connecting said brackets, a supporting frame mounted on said bars, a rotatable printing disc mounted on said frame, type members thereon, a press hammer for operating said type members, a motor for driving said hammer mounted on said frame, clutch means between said motor and said hammer and means for moving said frame to the front or to the rear of said bed.

'7. Printing apparatus comprising a pair` of discs, a plurality of wedge-shaped members mounted therebetween, a supporting bar for each member adapted to space said discs apart, and a type block removably secured in each of said members.

8. Printing apparatus comprising a pair of discs, a plurality of wedge-shaped members mounted therebetween, a supporting bar for each member adapted to space said discs apart, a type block removably secured in each of said members and means for moving said members against a printing surface.

9. Printing apparatus comprising a pair of discs, a plurality of wedge-shaped members mounted therebetween, a supporting bar for each member adapted to space said discs apart, a type block removably secured in each of said members and power driven means for moving said member against a printing surface and spring means for returning the same.

10. Show card printing apparatus comprising a printing bed, a revolvable vertically positioned disc removably mounted above said bed, typecarrying blocks mounted on said disc around the periphery thereof, each of said blocks forming positioning means for adjacent blocks, means for rotating said disc to bring any desired type into a printing position above said bed, eccentrically driven means for moving a single type block against the printing surface of said bed, and resilient means for returning a block to its normal position.

l1. Show card printing apparatus comprising a printing bed, a revolvable type-carrying disc vertically positioned thereabove, an ink fountain associated therewith, a plurality of type blocks secured around the periphery of said disc, means for positioning said disc to bring any specified type block into a desired printing position above said bed, means comprising a power-driven hammer member for moving a type block against a show card positioned on said bed, and resilient means for returning said blocks to normal position.

LYMAN A. STINSON. 

